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Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Cottrell, Dr Margaret Johnson, Professor Patrick Chinnery, Emeritus Professor Doug Turnbull
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The identification of cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-deficient/succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)- positive cells using sequential histochemistry has proved important in the identification of cells with high mitochondrial. DNA (mtDNA) mutant load. We demonstrate large numbers of COX-deficient/SDH- positive neurons in a mosaic pattern throughout the CNS of a patient with a multiple mtDNA deletion disorder. This patient had prominent central and peripheral nervous system involvement with marked cerebellar ataxia, a parkinsonian extra-pyramidal movement disorder, external ophthalmoplegia, dysphagia, and a severe peripheral neuropathy. There was degeneration of myelin tracts in the cerebellum and dorsal spinal columns, diffuse astrocytosis, and selective neuronal degeneration particularly in the midbrain and cerebral microvacuolation. The proportional distribution of the COX-deficient neurons did not always correlate directly with the degree of neuropathological damage with regions of high neuronal loss having relatively low proportions of these cells. Other clinically affected CNS regions have high levels of COX-deficient neurons without significant cell loss. The role of these COX-deficient neurons in causing neuronal degeneration and clinical symptoms is discussed.
Author(s): Cottrell DA, Ince PG, Blakely EL, Johnson MA, Chinnery PF, Hanna M, Turnbull DM
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Year: 2000
Volume: 59
Issue: 7
Pages: 621-627
Print publication date: 01/07/2000
ISSN (print): 0022-3069
ISSN (electronic): 1554-6578
PubMed id: 10901234
